What One Health Care CEO Is Learning from the PandemicBy Marc Harrison, MD UAFP President-Elect, Dr. Chad Spain, featured in this article by Intermountain Healthcare CEO, Marc Harrison, MD. Chad Spain is a family medicine physician who practices in an Intermountain Healthcare clinic in Salt Lake City, and during the pandemic, he treated a patient who needed more than medical care. The man is homeless, has some mental health issues, and had a series of medical problems, including a month-long hospitalization for cellulitis, a serious bacterial skin infection. “He needed close monitoring when he left the hospital,” Chad said. “But because he didn’t have a home to go to, he went to a skilled nursing facility.” Normally that means Chad’s work would be done. But Chad’s staff reached out to a program that offers long-term housing to people with mental health or substance abuse issues, and when the patient is discharged from the nursing facility, he’ll have a place to live. I look at that case, and I think: As bad as the pandemic is, could we end up doing better work when it’s over? Can it teach us anything about how to serve our patients better and more affordably than we did before? READ MORE... Latest Issue of UAFP Journal Available Online NowUAFP's twice-annual journal arrived in mailboxes this month and is also available now online. Interested in submitting an article for the next edition of the journal? Let us know! We will be gathering content over the next few months for a late fall release. Contact Barb Muñoz for more information. UTAH COVID-19 UPDATESApplication Deadline for CARES Act Funding is August 3rdHHS extended the deadline for eligible Medicaid and CHIP physicians and organizations to submit information and apply for funding from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund from July 20 until August 3, 2020. HHS is distributing approximately $15 billion to eligible physicians who have not previously received a payment from the Provider Relief Fund. HHS has provided a fact sheet explaining the application process. CDC Releases Toolkit for People with DisabilitiesThis toolkit provides guidance documents, web resources, and FAQs for people with disabilities during COVID-19. Read More... BYU Research on the Effectiveness of MasksEarlier this month, Dr. Benjamin Abbott (along with other researchers fro Brigham Young University’s Department of Environmental Science) released findings of a study into the effectiveness of masks in preventing the spread of COVID-19. According to their review of various controlled studies conducted across the country, there is convincing evidence that wearing masks reduces the transmission of COVID-19 for healthcare workers and the public. UDOH Releases Guidelines for Reopening SchoolsThe health guidance for schools, a 102-page document, is the most specific direction from the state yet for reopening. Previously, most planning had been left to local districts. UPCOMING EVENTSUAFP Student & Resident Poster Session (VIRTUAL)Support students and residents from around the state as they present their posters virtually, Thursday, August 20 at 7:00pm. Individuals and teams are eligible for awards for their exceptional efforts. Awards are generously sponsored by Comagine Health. Sign up now to receive Zoom link UAFP Virtual Annual Meeting Friday, August 28th at 7:00pm
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